Introduction
The highest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain on the African continent at 5896m. Its snow-capped summit rises high above the dusty African plains; huge permanent glaciers flow down from the summit, spectacular views and beautiful ice formations are the reward for pushing limits both physical and mental.
The trek takes the less-trodden Machame route, allowing climbers to fully appreciate the splendour of their surroundings. The terrain changes as climbers ascend the mountain, passing through thick forest, moorland and scree en route to the highest point of the crater, Uhuru Peak.
This is a challenging trek at altitude, climbing one of the most impressive and well-known mountains in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Leave London Heathrow for Kilimanjaro International airport.
Day 2: Arrive Kilimanjaro International and transfer to Moshi town. Time to sort out kit.
Night in hotel.
Day 3: One-hour drive from Moshi to the gate of the Machame route. The first section of the route climbs steadily and involves jungle bashing through magnificent forest. This path is less well trodden so can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot. Camp at Machame camp, 3100m
Walk 5-7 hours, approx 18km.
Day 4: Route continues on up through the forest until the steep ascent on to the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Camp at Shira caves, 3840m.
Walk 4-6 hours, approx 9 km.
Day 5: Walking on high moorland climbers traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp at the Barranco Hut (3900m), a tin shack where tents are pitched.
Walk 6-7 hours, approx 15km.
Day 6: Start the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides climbers from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, climbers head towards the Karanga valley. From there is a steep climb up from Karanga valley to camp at Karanga camp set at 3963m. Those feeling strong can go for a mid afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Walk 5-7 hours, approx 18km.
Day 7: Walk to Barafu camp at 4600m. The climb will cross desolate scree slopes with no vegetation at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp climbers will spend the afternoon resting and preparing for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. Early dinner and try to get some sleep before setting off again at 11pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 8: To avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun the steep climb to the Summit glaciers starts early. Scree climb for 4 to 5 hours to the crater rim at Stella Point (5750m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Another hour’s walk to the summit Uhuru (5896m), the highest point; Uhuru means freedom in Swahili.
Begin descent by retracing steps to Stella Point before descending on scree back to Millennium camp (3900m).
Walk 12 - 14 hours, approx 20km, 7km climb.
Day 9: A gentle trek down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate.
Walk 5 hours, approx 10km.
Day 10: Flight to UK
Day 11: Arrive UK
Weather
Late March to June and November are Tanzania’s rainy seasons. For the rest of the year the weather is equatorial and very pleasant, with often a cool breeze on the mountains. Although warm by day, and hot on the valley floor, altitude has a great effect on temperatures and it will get cooler as climbers go higher. It will also be cold at night, sometimes below freezing. The figures below show min and max average temperatures and average level of rain in mm for Moshi.
| September | 16-28ºC; 10mm | |
| October | 17-31ºC; 20mm | |
| January | 18-34ºC; 30mm | |
| February | 18-34ºC; 50mm | |
| March | 19-32ºC; 110mm |
Trekking Information
This trek is graded strenuous/tough and is challenging in itself, but the main challenge lies in the altitude. The Machame route that we take up Kilimanjaro allows better acclimatisation to the altitude than other routes. Early symptoms of altitude sickness include tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea. Altitude affects people differently and being super fit is no guarantee of being less likely to feel the effects. The majority of people, particularly on this route, experience few symptoms.
Terrain is varied with trekking through overgrown forest paths, moorland, rocky trail and scree. Much of the walking is rough underfoot.